Navy seizes a poaching trawler in northern waters of Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters in the wee hours of today (25th June 2024). The operation led to the seizure of an Indian trawler (1) and apprehension of 10 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off Kankasanthurai, Jaffna. In an unfortunate turn of events, a sailor from the Navy Special Boat Squadron sustained critical injuries due to the aggressive manoeuvres of an Indian trawler, resisting its seizure. Unfortunately, the sailor succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Teaching Hospital in Jaffna.

The Navy, in the most challenging situations, conducts regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.

As an extension of these efforts, the Northern Naval Command deployed its Fast Attack Craft to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off Kankasanthurai this morning. The operation resulted in the seizure of an Indian poaching trawler (1) and apprehension of 10 Indian fishermen continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.

During these operations, the Navy frequently encounters aggressive manoeuvres by Indian trawlers, which often result in injuries to naval personnel and damage to Navy’s ships and craft, as they attempt to apprehend Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Amidst such resistance, the Navy persistently carries out operations under extremely challenging conditions to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from the country's waters, often working through the darkness.

During today's operation, the sailor of the Navy Special Boat Squadron tragically succumbed to critical injuries. As he was boarding the poaching trawler from the Fast Attack Craft, the accident occurred had led to his fatal injuries, following the aggressive manoeuvres by the Indian trawler. Meanwhile, the Fast Attack Craft of the Navy also sustained significant damage due to the aggressive manoeuvres of the poaching trawler.

The seized trawler (1) together with Indian fishermen (10) were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.

With this recent apprehension, the Navy has seized a total of 28 Indian poaching trawlers and 214 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters in 2024, and subsequently handed them over to authorities for legal proceedings. The Navy remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard its waters from illegal poaching activities.